Skylights in Sherman Oaks and Encino
Sherman Oaks and Encino share Ventura Boulevard and a similar layout. North of the boulevard, the flats are mostly post-war ranch houses, many remodeled. South of it, the streets climb into the Santa Monica Mountains toward Mulholland, with larger hillside homes and new construction. In both, Valley heat shapes what kind of skylight you want. We install, repair and replace skylights on both sides of the boulevard, and we’ve been in business in Los Angeles for 12 years.
Ranch houses on the flats
The 1940s and 1950s ranch houses north of Ventura usually have low-pitch shingle roofs, evenly spaced rafters and a shallow attic. Interior kitchens, hallways and bathrooms are often dark. A glass skylight between the rafters, with a short light shaft, changes how these rooms feel. Many ranches also have flat-roof additions, where a skylight sits on a curb that has to be sealed properly into the roofing. For small spaces, a sun tunnel is often the better fit.
Hillside homes south of Ventura
The hillside neighborhoods of both communities have 1960s and later homes, Mediterranean houses with tile roofs, and modern homes with large flat roofs. These are where custom glass skylights come up: a ridge skylight over a long room, a pyramid over a stair hall, or a big flat glass unit on a modern roof. Steep driveways and multi-level roofs make access part of every estimate, and some lots fall under the City’s hillside rules or, near Mulholland, the Mulholland Scenic Parkway Specific Plan.
Valley heat and glass choice
Summer afternoons in Sherman Oaks and Encino regularly run well into the 90s and above. A clear, single-pane or plastic skylight can overheat a room. We recommend low-e insulated glass, careful orientation, and a venting skylight in kitchens and bathrooms so hot air can escape. Solar-powered venting units open without wiring. Older plastic domes are worth upgrading to glass for this reason alone.
Leaks on skylights added during a re-roof
Across the Valley, many skylights were added during a re-roof. Some were flashed well; some weren’t, and they start leaking a winter or two later. If the skylight itself is sound, a proper re-flash usually fixes it. See skylight repair and why skylights leak.
Permits
Both Sherman Oaks and Encino are part of the City of Los Angeles, so permits go through LADBS. A new opening needs a permit; cutting a rafter adds structural review. We handle the permit and inspection.
Sherman Oaks & Encino skylight FAQ
Will a skylight make my house too hot?
Not with low-e glass and the right placement. Venting units help in kitchens and bathrooms.
Can I replace my old plastic dome with glass?
Usually in the same opening, if the curb is sound. See dome replacement.
Do you do custom skylights on hillside homes?
Yes. We measure and build to the opening.
What does it cost?
A standard replacement is roughly $800 to $900; a new opening roughly $4,000; custom glass from around $2,500 to $3,000. See the cost guide.
Call us at (213) 334-3947 for a free Sherman Oaks or Encino skylight estimate.
Nearby areas: Studio City · Tarzana & Woodland Hills · San Fernando Valley · Calabasas
Related reading: New installation · Skylight replacement · All service areas